Coming to an End, Yet Just the Beginning

This class is coming to an end, yet it is just the beginning of something that I will continue for a long time.  I have really enjoyed learning about opening an Etsy shop!  I have learned so much information that will help me as I open my shop and for years to come as continue to operate, develop, and improve it.  So much of what I learned, I didn't even realize I needed to learn and might not of if it hadn't been for this class and all the time I spent researching and reading and asking my mentor questions.  I am excited to continue to learn new things through reading, experience, and meeting new people.

June has been busier than I ever could have imagined so I have decided to delay opening my shop until after I graduate.  I was really looking forward to doing it before I presented but I don't feel like I can put the time into making it what I want it to be, now.  In order to make it to the best of my ability I need to wait until I can spend the time needed on it.

As I said before, I really enjoyed this project and I am grateful for the chance to do this.  I stayed motivated and interested throughout the whole semester which is great since my project doesn't end here.  It also allowed me to learn so much.  Some days I would go home and research and read for hours.  I didn't complete everything that I wanted to, like the number of clutches I wanted to have sewn or taking pictures of all of the ones that I have but I am proud of what I did accomplish and know that I will still complete those, just not before the end of the school year.  Even though I didn't complete all of my goals, this project has been a huge success and I am prepared and excited to open my shop!

One obstacle that I faced was being motivated to sew.  I love sewing but when I have to sew and it's the same thing over and over again, sometimes it's hard to want to do it.  That's when sewing something else can be helpful.  Another obstacle was time, especially near the end of the year during this busy season of my life. I also know that I will face many more obstacles as I continue on this journey but that I have lots of resources to help me through them.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.    -Colossians 3:23

This verse has been a theme throughout this project.  God has given me this gift and passion and I want to use it for him!  The through-lines that apply and connect with my project are beauty-creating and image-reflecting, which I think can be very connected with each other.  Genesis 1 talks a lot about God creating and everything he created.  When we create we reflect that quality of God, especially when we create something beautiful.  We also praise God and worship him when we create.

Lots of Learning

The internet has a plethora of information.

I keep finding more and more useful information and it always leads to even more.  My goal for this project was to learn about everything I'd need to know to open up an Etsy shop before I opened one and I have learned so much helpful information and tips but there's still so much more out there.  I've read so many articles on people who continue to learn and improve their shop even years after opening it.  I'll definitely keep learning for as long as I have a shop.

Here is some of the information and advice that I have found:

-If you want to have a successful business you have to treat it like a business and not like a hobby.

-Price your items properly, a cheap price will make your product seem cheap too, it won't make more people buy it.

-Make goals for your business, but remember to be realistic.  Think about and write down long term goals, short term goals and the steps required to complete them.

-Always continue to improve your shop and your items and be open to change if you want your shop to continue to grow.

-Be patient.  You won't start making money overnight, it takes lots of time and effort.

I am so thankful for the internet and everyone who has taken their time to write about what has or hasn't worked for their Etsy shop.  I would have been extremely overwhelmed to open up my own shop if I hadn't read tons of articles and posts on tips and advice from everything from promoting your shop to taking good pictures to running your own business to a bunch of little details I wouldn't have thought of otherwise.  I guess the real test will be when I finally do open my shop though!

They information I posted about today I found on xosarah and the Etsy blog (this post and this post).

Live Love Sew

And he(Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.  -2 Corinthians 5:15

We live by faith, not by sight.  -2 Corinthians 5:7

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.  -2 John 1:6

Do everything in love.  -1 Corinthians 16:14

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. 
-Colossians 3:23


Why Live Love Sew?
It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to name my Etsy shop once I could open one.  My mom and I each brainstormed but we couldn't think of something that I really liked.  Finally, she came up with Live Love Sew.  I wanted people to be able to tell what I was selling by the name but I didn't want it to be too cheesy or common so this was perfect!

So what am I selling?

Bow clutches!  I got the tutorial from the blog Elm Street Life.   It used to have a FAQ page where in the answer to one of the questions Whitney gave permission for people to sell bow clutches made from her tutorial in small quantities, but that page seems to have been removed.  I might sell something else in my shop too but I haven't decided yet.

I love these clutches! They are fun to make and super cute.  Each and every one has a different coordinating fabric with a fun print inside!  They're the perfect size to carry your essentials and can be used for a casual day or a formal dinner.  I made one for my mom in summer and she uses hers everyday.  I would have made one for myself as well but I can't pick a colour.

Sorry for the bad quality of the pictures, that's something that I'm going to try and fix by the end of this.  The colours are a little different that in real life.